Lonmin massacre: a timeline

Watch this series of videos highlighting the key events leading up to and post the Lonmin mine massacre.

April 22 - First attacks

Somiao Taula Dolane, 55, dies, a day
after he and five other miners were violently assaulted on their way to work at
the Karee mine in Marikana.

August 10 - Strike begins

3 000 rock drillers down tools
during an illegal strike, demanding R12 500 a month instead of the R4 000 they
said they receive although this figure is disputed as the strike wears on. Four
miners shot and injured while on their way to work.

August 11 - More injuries, court order granted
against strikers.

Two more miners hospitalised with
gunshot wounds at the mine. Lonmin obtains a court order giving the striking
workers until August 16 to return to work.

August 12 - Guards killed

Two security guards shot dead as a
large group of strikers attack the mine. A miner is ambushed and killed on his
way to work in the evening, and another miner is found dead with five gunshot
wounds.

August 13 - Two policemen and one miner die

Two policemen and one striking miner
are killed during clashes between police and strikers. Another policeman is
critically injured.

August 16 - Footage shot on the day of the
shootings

Striking miners issued with final
ultimatum under court order to return to work by the opening shift of the next
day, but at about 16.00, police shoot and kill 34 protesters, wounding 78.
Lonmin announces its CEO, Ian Farmer, has been hospitalised with a
"serious illness" and is being replaced.

TV footage of the shootings shocks
the world as South Africa tries to come to grips with the tragedy.

Ousted ANC Youth League president
Julius Malema calls for the resignation of President Jacob Zuma and police
minister Nathi Mthethwa over the massacre.

August 19 - Lonmin ultimatum

Lonmin issues an ultimatum to
workers to either return to work on 20 August or face dismissal. President
Jacob Zuma declares 20-26 August a week of mourning.

August 20 - First court appearance

Heavy police presence and protesting
sympathisers gather outside the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate's Court for the first
court appearance of the 257 miners arrested on the day of the shootings.

August 21 - Claims of police mischief

The UK-based Socialist Worker
publishes claims that miners had been ambushed by police, supported by claims
by miners.

August 22 - Breakaway union sidelined

AMCU, which led the wildcat strike,
claims it has been excluded from negotiations in the aftermath of the
shootings.

August 23 - National day of mourning and
memorial service

A government-sponsored memorial
service is held at Marikana. A rival service held at the same time, sponsored
by supporters of ousted ANCYL president Julius Malema, upstages the official
ceremony.

August 23 - Commission of inquiry

Retired Supreme Court of Appeal
judge Ian Farlam appointed to head a judicial commission of inquiry into the
shooting, expected to take four months.

August 29 - Abuse claims

An attorney representing some of the
miners detained following the shooting claim they were assaulted while in
custody.

August 29 - A new "killing field"
claimed

Greg Marinovich of the Daily
Maverick publishes a controversial article showing what he says is evidence
that some miners were murdered away from the main shooting scene at Marikana

August 30 - Miners charged

The National Prosecuting Authority
announces that 270 miners would be charged with the murder of their colleagues.

August 31 - Independent
union AMCU refuses to sign negotiated peace deal, claiming it was left out of
negotiations.

Acting NPA head Nomgcobo Jiba
announces that charges are dropped.

September 2 - Murder charges dropped

NPA head Nomgcobo Jiba announces
that striking miners arrested following the shooting would not be charged with
the murder of their colleagues. She ascribes the initial decision to the North
West director of public prosecutions.

September 5 - New threats from miners

Marikana output remains near zero,
thousands of striking workers threaten to kill miners who go to work and
destroy the mine if their demands for increased pay are not met.

24.com publishes all comments posted on articles provided that they adhere to our Comments Policy. Should you wish to report a comment for editorial review, please do so by clicking the 'Report Comment' button to the right of each comment.

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Saving your profile

Settings

News24 allows you to edit the display of certain components based on a location.
If you wish to personalise the page based on your preferences, please select a
location for each component and click "Submit" in order for the changes to
take affect.

Your Location*

Weather*

Always remember my setting

Saving your settings

Facebook Sign-In

Hi News addict,

Join the News24 Community to be involved in breaking the news.

Log in with Facebook to comment and personalise news, weather and listings.